David Reynolds, who was nominated for an Oscar for his screenplay for Finding Nemo, has been hired to write a film based on an original story by animation veteran Stephan Franck. Franck animated The Iron Giantand Despicable Meandwill also direct.

Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Peter McHugh and Eric Robinson of The Gotham Group and Academy Award winner Karen Dufilho-Rosen (Geri's Game, For the Birds) will executive produce. This film is part of a four picture, first-look deal that Gotham signed with Sony Pictures Animation in 2009.

Here is what Ellen Goldsmith-Vein had to say about the project,

"We are thrilled and excited to be making a movie at Sony Pictures Animation with Stephan Franck directing and David Reynolds, one of the funniest writers in the business."

Reynolds received Oscar and BAFTA nominations and won an Annie Award for his work on Finding Nemo. He also worked on such films as, Chicken Little, A Bugs Life, The Emperor's New Groove, Mulan, "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," Atlantis: The Lost Empire, Fantasia/2000, Tarzan, and Toy Story 2 & 3.

Stephan Franck worked as Supervising Animator for The Iron Giantand was one of the key story contributors on Despicable Me. He also worked on the animated TV Series "Corneil and Bernie" with his co-creator brother Emmanuel for Millimages/BBC.